Weather

UPDATE (4): Thousands without power in Arlington after strong storms roll through

By ARLnow.com
1/5

Update at 10 a.m. — More than 2,000 Dominion customers are still without power in Arlington.

Update at 11 p.m. — The number of Dominion customers still in the dark is down modestly, to 7,378. A company spokeswoman said “the storms left a lot damage” and “crews will work thru the night as quickly & safely as possible.” More than 20,000 customers are without power throughout Northern Virginia.

Meanwhile, a transformer explosion was recently reported in the Barcroft neighborhood, likely complicating restoration efforts.

Update at 8:40 p.m. — There are 8,295 Dominion customers without power in Arlington, according to the utility company. Outages have been reported in the East Falls Church, Madison Manor, Columbia Forest, Claremont, Douglas Park, Green Valley, Long Branch Creek and Aurora Highlands neighborhoods, among others.

Update at 7:25 p.m. — A Flood Warning has been issued as well.

718 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022

…FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 115 AM EDT MONDAY…

* WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE…Portions of DC, central Maryland and northern Virginia, including the following counties: District of Columbia. In central Maryland, Montgomery and Prince Georges. In northern Virginia, Arlington, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, and Fairfax.

* WHEN…Until 115 AM EDT.

* IMPACTS…Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…

– At 716 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Flooding is expected to begin shortly in the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain has fallen.
– Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are possible in the warned area.
– Some locations that will experience flooding include… Arlington… Alexandria… Bethesda… Reston… Annandale… Springfield… College Park… Fairfax… Langley Park… Beltsville… Vienna… Falls Church… Huntington… Coral Hills… Bladensburg… Mantua… Pimmit Hills… Mclean… Rosslyn… American Legion Bridge…

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Update at 7:10 p.m. — Get ready for round two. Arlington is under another Severe Thunderstorm Warning, this time until 8 p.m.

From the National Weather Service:

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
704 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning…

* Until 800 PM EDT.

* At 703 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Damascus to 13 miles north of Mineral, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Measured gust to 58 mph at Dulles Airport.

IMPACT…Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.

* Locations impacted include… Arlington, Alexandria, Stafford, Columbia, Germantown, Centreville, Dale City, Rockville, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Reston, Leesburg, Annandale, Olney, Springfield, College Park, Fredericksburg, South Riding, Fort Washington and Herndon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

The earlier storm packed hail, strong winds and flooding downpours in parts of Arlington.

Update at 5:15 p.m. — Arlington is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.

Earlier: Arlington — along with D.C. and much of the region — is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

The watch is in effect until 9 p.m.

Forecasters say strong storms packing hail, damaging winds and downpours are possible late Sunday afternoon and into the evening.

More from the National Weather Service: